When Metal Comes Inside

By Mark Robins, Senior Editor,
Posted
11/01/2013

Metal has become an increasingly popular alternative choice for
traditional interior applications

For years, metal has been used for roofing and exterior siding.
But new materials, applications and attitudes have moved it inside
buildings producing creative, intricate interior designs. Metal's
versatility opens it up to virtually limitless applications, while
delivering durability and longevity that surpasses many other
interior materials. It blends function, form, beauty and style.

The last decade's technological advances have made architectural
metals a very practical solution for interiors. New finishes,
coatings and patterns are now available to suit diverse
architectural styles. "Specifiers and designers are becoming more
aware of the decorative and structural possibilities that
architectural metals offer," says Tripp Sandford, executive vice
president, Móz Designs,
Oakland, Calif. "Móz Designs is offering feature elements that
weren't available just five years ago. New digital tools allow us
to create dramatic surfaces that can add a 'signature look' to
high-profile projects and public areas. Architectural aluminum
offers exceptional design flexibility and long-lasting
durability.

Metal surfacing has become increasingly popular for use as wall
coverings, column covers, room dividers and stairways. More
architects are also specifying metal for ceiling treatments in
public areas." People have always known metal to be durable, but
were reluctant to use it for interior applications, like
ceilings.

"The thinking was that it would look stark or antiseptic, and
would make the building's interior sound like an echo chamber,"
says Edward G. Williams, manager of construction services, Chicago Metallic Corp.,
Chicago. "Now, designers and owners are finding that metal ceilings
can provide excellent acoustical control within a space and
introduce exciting colors and new design elements. The most common
application is where a designer has incorporated a grid-type
ceiling into a space and then substituted a metal ceiling panel in
lieu of a traditional mineral fiber panel or a fiberglass panel.
Designers will also recommend metal ceiling panels, as they are
VOC-free and do not contribute any airborne particles that would
negatively affect the building's indoor air quality. In addition to
the inherent quality of metal as a material, metal panels will stay
cleaner in the ceiling."

Building owners are now finding that a metal ceiling can be used
to provide added security in a space and create an open, spacious
appearance. "These systems can be configured to provide limited,
restricted or no access to the plenum," Williams adds. "This can be
especially important in public spaces like schools, courthouses and
airports." An important safety feature for a metal fabric ceiling
is that the sprinklers can still operate. "The HVAC can also still
operate in a hidden environment with open air flow," says Shawn
Crismond, technical sales manager, GKD Metal Fabrics,
Cambridge, Md. "All of the mechanical items can be hidden but still
easy accessible and functional."

In addition to ceilings, Crismond notes other popular interior
metal applications are partitions, floors, walls and interior
railings. "Interior metal applications possess safety and
protection characteristics including fire resistance," he adds.
"For large theaters and entertainment venues, metal is very
beneficial to the acoustics."

Metal has become a creative interior component for settings with
high-traffic areas and multiple levels, in addition to its use an
accent material. "Numerous color and profile options provide detail
and depth not achieved with traditional interior materials," says
Mark Eaker, business development manager, Metal Sales Manufacturing
Corp., Louisville, Ky. "Recently there has been an increase in
schools utilizing flush-face metal panels for interior
applications. Metal panels are a sustainable and versatile choice
in comparison to traditional materials. There is a wide range of
available colors, finishes and profiles that give building teams
unlimited possibilities to meet their needs. Metal panels have a
warm, strong, interesting appearance. With the correct use of
color, forming, stamping and texture, metal panels provide a look
that no other material can achieve."

Interior metals can be used as a space divider to bisect a large
open area when the whole space is not required. "It can also create
private spaces within bars, restaurants and conference rooms," says
Adis Mustedanagic, technical sales consultant, Cascade Coil Drapery,
Tualatin, Ore. "Spaces can be divided vertically by using Cascade
Coil vertical ceiling scrims. Dividing the space vertically can
provide a level of comfort to the occupier that they would get in
intimate spaces as opposed to cavernous spaces." Window treatments
can benefit from innovative interior metal use. "Using Cascade Coil
for window treatments provides shading from the sun and stabilizes
the temperature within the space without sacrificing the view,"
Mustedanagic adds.

Interior metals can even help save lives. Cascade Coil's
GuardianCoil system mitigates the risk of injury resulting from
explosions that extends beyond that of the blast pressure and shock
wave. For building inhabitants, airborne debris is one of the
leading causes of death and injury during a blast event. This woven
wire blast mitigation product installed as a window covering or as
in-wall shielding behind wallboard captures and absorbs airborne
glass shards and fragments while still maintaining esthetically
pleasing features. The woven wire mesh collapses around the
fragment projectile, safely dissipating its energy. This natural
enveloping mechanism significantly reduces the chance of injury or
damage to people and property.

Why metal mesh matters

One of metal's most common interior applications is as metal
mesh. It's extremely versatile, virtually indestructible and
eco-friendly.

"Architectural design mesh is a great alternative to adding to
any space," says Wendy DeCapite, sales manager of architectural
products, W.S. Tyler,
Mentor, Ohio. "Rolling or curving the mesh in a ceiling or wall
application, and then adding a few lighting points will create
movement and fluidity. Because the mesh is woven, there are crimps
where the wires cross each other. At those crossing points, there
will be a light reflection point. How tightly woven or how many
crimps there are will depend on the amount of reflection you will
have. Also, if you need to hide any HVAC units, you could simply
install mesh panels below the units, add a lighting element and the
mesh will become completely opaque while still allowing air
flow."

Metal mesh's rise in popularity may be due to increased desire
for flexible, modular walls without drywall, paint or wallpaper.
Mesh can be rigid/fixed or flexible with movement. It is very
versatile and its walls can be used for room or area separation,
light filtration, walls allowing HVAC flow, security or simply as
an accent.

"Wire mesh weaves have endless combinations of wire gage,
mesh pattern and finishes, which make it an increasingly popular
alternative choice for traditional interior applications," says
Nicole Theis, director of marketing, Wire Mesh Products Inc., York,
Pa. "The benefits that wire mesh can offer for exterior
applications-energy conservation, lighting control, air flow, low
maintenance design and durability-translate seamlessly to interior
designs. Wire mesh can achieve soft borders that drywall and other
substrates cannot. There are over 10,000 different combinations of
weave patterns and styles. Furthermore, wire mesh is offered in
endless finishes that can add that 'wow' factor over paint,
wallpaper or graphics. Wire mesh provides a sleek and sophisticated
modern look that will hold its look over time."

Materials like metal mesh offer unique textures, dimensions and
visual interplay with other interior design components. For
example, "The interplay of light with metal mesh can provide a
variety of moods and looks," says Harrison Horan, vice president of
Banker Wire, Mukwonago,
Wis. "Mesh can be used to restore classic looks-think 1950s
elevator cabs-or to create new, modern looks like floor-to-ceiling
walls, design accents, partitions, and illuminated backdrops and
walls." Mesh is scalable. "Spacing, pattern and diameter can all be
adjusted to suit the application," says Horan. Mesh can be treated
with secondary finishes. "Plating, powder coat, anodizing,
polishing … all of these post processes can dramatically change the
appearance of the material," Horan adds.

Interior installation

Most interior metal applications are surprisingly easy to
install. "Wire mesh can be easily installed with a few standard
installation methods," says Theis. "Mounting hardware, such as
c-hooks, Mocket-branded fasteners, channel systems, are the most
common installations. Many of the installations are slightly or
fully custom designed, and created in order to ensure safety while
serving its intended purpose."

To a certain extent, interior metal installation will depend on
the application. "If you are looking for a simple drop-down
ceiling, the mesh can be bent onto an angle and simply dropped in,"
says DeCapite. "If you are looking to create movement, there will
need to be a substructure designed to hold the mesh in tension and
shape." In standard applications, metal ceiling installations would
require no more time than that of a standard lay-in ceiling.
"However, when a curved ceiling is desired, or a security ceiling
is desired, or even an upgraded finish such as wood is desired, the
metal ceiling will be drastically faster to install," says
Williams.

Because of the variety of interior metal applications, there are
always special considerations for installation. Because of this,
Horan stresses the need to work with a manufacturer who is flexible
and can provide material quickly and reliably. "Most new interior
metal applications are custom

designed, requiring the entire project team to work together,
and requiring manufacturers to respond quickly and consult on the
design," he says. One feature of interior metal that eases
installation is that it frequently comes preassembled prior to
being shipped to job sites. "Once on the site the installer will
only need to mount the track and slide the mesh onto it," says
Mustedanagic. In case of any additional assembly needed on-site,
most suppliers provide easy-to-follow instructions. "Móz systems
are user-friendly and can be installed by any experienced
contractor or sub-contractor," says Sandford. "The raw material is
formable, bendable and field cut-table ready. For wall coverings,
Móz offers sheets that are applied directly to drywall with
construction-grade adhesives. Móz systems also include all the
hardware necessary for an on-site installation, which saves time.
There are a number of design options for edge conditions, such as
corner trim and flat-seam trim when required at joints. It all
depends on the desired effect."

In addition to these established installation techniques, future
architectural metals advances are on the horizon that will give
even more product choices to architects and designers looking for a
dramatic wall, column or ceiling treatment for a signature project.
Insiders predict new photovoltaic coatings for metal that will
retain sunlight and other energies that can be redirected at night
to illuminate rooms, even entire buildings. New finishes such as
powder coatings will produce realistic wood grain finishes
producing scenic ceilings with images of clouds and tree branches.
Future interior metal systems could even help buildings resist
earthquake movements.